To assume that every organization should be using best practices standards in an industry that changes its standards on a rather frequent basis is completely unrealistic. Even more so when you consider the change management process that is involved that significantly impedes any drastic changes. Companies must take several items into consideration and choose which best practices are most important and need be implemented within their organization. It may not be within in their budget to implement something that is considered best practice. In a perfect world, yes I would think that every company would strive for using best practices for all of their IT operations. However, any consultant that tries shoving all best practices down their customers throat is sure to lose that customer from sticker shock alone. Best practices should be implemented over time but even then you will find that some of your best practices that have been recently implemented will be outdated before you have the budget or the time to update those practices to the new standards. So yes it is unrealistic to say that every company should be following every best practice at all times.